Curled up on the couch, a white-haired girl slept like a kitten. If she were to be seen standing side by side with Theodore, perhaps they might be mistaken as siblings. Who knows? Perhaps they *were* long-lost siblings.

For Theodore, who had only seen the face of the woman presumed to be his mother on a rotting corpse through the Demon Lord's memories, the thought of there being someone with blood ties to him out in the world was a fantasy he sometimes indulged in.

Ever since that day when Theodore extended an invitation to her, Albatross had been visiting often, giving him the latest gossip along with some irrelevant news of the goings-on in the city. Thanks to her, Theodore had gotten a much-needed perspective on what Lancea was like beyond the walls that surround the workshop.

While Albatross slept on the old couch, Theodore took a glance at the mug he had served her tea with. From what remained of the tea within, he estimated that she took about two sips.

(Two sips today, three the previous, the whole mug two days prior...)

At their first meeting, Theodore had been wary of this girl. There was something off about her, that much was certain. Since then, he had been observing her, laying traps here and there in order to get a glance at who she truly was beneath that facade.

Theodore couldn't call himself a master of deception. Perhaps it was his nature to be straightforward, and at best, he could only mix truths with a few pinches of lies when trying to deceive others. On the other hand, he was sure that Albatross was a master of wearing 'the mask'. From her little gestures to her myriad of expressions shown, they all seemed to be tailored to endear herself to others. Had it not been the memories and experiences of the Demon Lord nagging at him in the back of his head, he would have fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.

(Could it be that even her white hair is a part of her 'mask'? Was her entire persona tailor-made to get close to me?)

Theodore contemplated the white-haired girl as she slept soundly, seemingly oblivious to it all. She appeared to have left herself completely unguarded. And though she had a semblance of caution on the first few days of her visit, she eventually let her guard down and began to use this place to take naps.

From what Theodore gathered, her job as a courier did not afford her much time to rest. As such, she claimed to be quite happy to become a designated courier for Theodore, a position she could use to get away from lower priority jobs and get herself some rest. So long as it was something that involved an elder, be it the delivery of books or gossips, everything else would have to wait, or in this case, loaded off onto other couriers.

Stolen novel; please report.

Of course, Albatross had Theodore's generosity to thank as well. Though he was suspicious of her, he still allowed her to come around whether she actually had something for him or not, turning the workshop grounds into her personal hideaway.

(In the end, is she really a spy? I can't tell, yet, I can't readily dismiss it either. Even with this defenseless appearance, I can't tell if she had let her guard down or if it was supposed to be some kind of trap or trickery. Perhaps she is pretending to be unguarded, trying to lure me into a false sense of security. Still, putting my suspicions aside, am I truly going through with this? Is this who I want to be? Is this the path I am going to walk down on?)

As he silently contemplated, Theodore felt something soft and tender snuggling against his foot. Without much thought, he went and picked up the creature and placed it upon his lap, gently caressing its fur.

(What do I do, Peter? Do I just wait here and let them do as they will with me? I don't trust those mages, not one bit. Not to mention... I need to know. I need to know if that was a dream or not. I need to see with my own eyes.)

Theodore tried asking about Eastcliff, but Fiana, having not left the city even once, had no idea and when Theodore asked for Annaliese, Fiana told him that she could not be reached at the moment. When he asked Albatross, she claimed to not have heard anything and that the news from a countryside so far away was unlikely to reach here in the first place.

The day passed by as Theodore spent it in idle contemplation. Soon, Albatross roused from her nap and took her leave, claiming that she had some other work to deal with before the day's end. She appeared to be none the wiser to Theodore's machinations. At least, that was what it seemed to be in Theodore's eyes.

***

On the next day, Albatross came by once again. As usual, she drank the herbal tea Theodore had made, the tea made from the Aetherglow herb. She was utterly unguarded, drinking even before Theodore had taken a sip.

Albatross had but a single sip, but as the hot fluid hit her stomach, her complexion quickly turned paled, her eyes turning towards Theodore with hints of disbelief and betrayal.

"I suppose I underestimated you," said Albatross as she quickly regained her composure. "Though you're a kind of a brat, I thought for sure that you're a straightforward and good kid."

"I am sorry to disappoint you. Even so, you only have your own greed to blame."

The air in the room immediately became heavy. Perhaps sensing that, Peter quickly ducked underneath the old couch. In but an instant, any friendliness within this place, be it genuine or otherwise, had been washed away with cold enmity.

"Yeah... I guess I got a bit too greedy there," Albatross scoffed in self-mockery.

"Let's talk elsewhere, somewhere more secure, though I am truly not sure as to how closely I am being watched."

"Take the lead then. I'm screwed either way. That's what I get for letting my guard down in this damned city I suppose."

Theodore couldn't agree with that statement more, but he kept silent and led the way to his room. The conversation shall continue there.

***

End of Chapter 42

***